Collapsible



March 31, 1964 R. s. NOLAN ETAL 3,125,553

COLLAPSIBLE, SECTIQNALIZED BOAT Filed Oct. 25, 1961 l V 02 I INVENTORS.

{age/7e E Sou/e ,/Pager 5. Nolan United States Patent Ofifice 3,126,558 Patented Mar. 31, 1954 3,126,558 COLLAPSIBLE, SEQTIONALIZED BQAT Roger S. Nolan, 7817 Walmer, Overland Park, K3115. and Eugene E. Soule, 6108 Buena Vista, Mission, Kans. Filed Oct. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 147,01 2 Claims. (Cl. 9-2) This invention relates to a boat utilized by sportsmen on hunting and fishing expeditions, and more particularly, to a boat which may be collapsed when not in use to facilitate the storage or movement thereof from a point of use to a point of storage.

Conventional boats used by sportsmen in hunting and fishing expeditions are cumbersome, heavy and generally bulky in character so that the sportsmen expend additional time in moving such boats to and from locations or points at which the boats are launched. Since the boats are generally of a weight requiring several individuals to move the same, the boats are generally transported to and from the edge of the water by means of a trailer hitched to an automobile or the like. This, of course, requires additional expense, as well as additional time in manipulating the trailer to permit the boat to be removed from or placed on the trailer.

The present invention overcomes the problems mentioned above with conventional type boats by providing a boat made from a number of interconnected sections, with each section having outrigger members thereon which reduce the over-all dimensions of the boat when the members are in a second or stored position. In addition, each section is made from relatively lightweight material so that, when the outrigger members are in the stored positions, a single individual may carry a section by each hand in suitcase fashion without being encumbered by the bulkiness of the sections when the outrigger members are in the buoyancy-producing positions.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a boat made from a hull section which has opposed outrigger members swingably mounted thereon at the sides thereof, whereby the outrigger members produce buoyancy for the hull section when the members are in outwardly extending positions and the boat is reduced in dimensions suitable for carrying by an individual when the outrigger members are in second or stored positions within the hull section, thus permitting an individual to carry the boat as if he were carrying a suitcase or the like.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an open top hull section having sides provided with hinges at the uppermost margins thereof for interconnecting outrigger members to the sides, whereby the outrigger members may extend outwardly from the sides in buoyancy-producing relationship to the hull section, or the outrigger members may be swung into the open top of the hull section and stored by the latter when it is desired to transport the boat formed by the hull section and members to and from a point of launch thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of hollow outrigger members which may contain a buoyant material such as styrofoam or the like, whereby the outrigger members supplement the hull section in producing buoyancy for the boat formed by the hull section and the outrigger members, thus rendering the boat suitable for use by sportsmen on hunting and fishing expeditions.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a boat formed by a number of longitudinally aligned, interconnected hull sections of the aforesaid character, and wherein each of the hull sections is provided with a pair of opposed outrigger members of the above-mentioned type, whereby the boat may seat a number of individuals while maintaining buoyancy and stability in the water.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a boat formed by a number of interconnected units, each including a hull section and a pair of outrigger members;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the units forming the boat of FIG. 1 and illustrating the hinged connection between a hull section and the corresponding outrigger members thereof, parts being broken away and in section to illustrate details of construction;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, said elevational view of the proximal ends of adjacent units and illustrating the means for interconnecting the units;

FIG. 4- is an end elevational view of one of the units and illustrating the location of the outrigger members with respect to the hull section thereof when the members are in buoyancy-producing relationship to the hull section; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of the units looking in the direction of an end of the latter and illustrating the positions of the outrigger members within the hull section when the members are in a stored location relative to the latter.

The present invention provides a boat for use by sportsmen on hunting and fishing expeditions which includes a number of interconnected units, each including a hull section with hingedly mounted outrigger units thereon. The hull section is provided with a pair of opposed sides, and hinge means is mounted on the uppermost margin of each of the sides for interconnecting the corresponding outrigger member to the hull section. Each outrigger member is hollow and is provided with a quantity of buoyancy-producing material such as styrofoam or the like for supplementing the buoyancy characteristics of the hull section when the outrigger members extend outwardly from the sides and are disposed partially in the water. The outrigger members may be swingable into stored positions within the hull section when it is desired to transport the boat over land to and from a point of launching thereof.

Means is further provided for interconnecting a number of boat units, each formed by a hull section in the outrigger members so that a boat may be formed capable of transporting a number of individuals over water.

A boat 10, formed by the structure which forms the subject of the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a number of interconnected boat units 12, 14 and 16 capable of carrying a number of individuals over water. Boat 19 may be utilized with oars or an outboard motor for moving boat 16 over the water, and in the event that a motor is used, the same is attached to the outermost end of either of the units 12 and 16.

For illustrative purposes, unit 16 is described in greater detail in FIGS. 2 to 5 inclusive and it is observed at this juncture that each of the units 12, 14 and 16 is substantially identical and a description of one suflices for the description of all of the units.

Unit 16 includes a hull section 18 having a bottom 20,

a pair of sides 22 and 24, and a pair of ends 26 and 28 interconnecting opposed ends of sides 22 and 24. Bottom includes a generally horizontal segment 30 and a pair of opposed, inclined segments 32 and 34 which interconnect segment 30 with sides 22 and 24 respectively. Bottom 20, sides 22 and 24, and ends 26 and 28 are preferably formed from sheet material which is generally lightweight in character, such as aluminum or the like. The junctions between bottom 2%, sides 22 and 24 and ends 26 and 28 are connected and sealed by suitable means to thereby render hull section 18 water-tight, as well as buoyant, so that hull section 13 may easily float on water.

A number of hinges 36 and 33 are mounted on the upper margins of sides 22 and 24 respectively, and swingably mount a pair of hollow outrigger members 40 and 42 on sides 22 and 24 respectively. Members 40 and 4-2 are of a length substantially equal to the length of hull section 18 and are generally filled with a buoyancy-producing material 44 such as styrofoam or the like. Each member 40 and 42 includes a pair of adjacent walls 46 and 48 coupled to the corresponding hinges 36 or 33 at the junction therebetween. A wall 50 interconnects the outermost ends of walls 46 and 48 so that the transverse cross section of each of members 49 and 42 is sub stantially triangular.

An opening is provided within wall 48 of each of the members 40 and 42 for receiving a container 52 provided with a flange 54 around the open top thereof engageable with the wall 48. Container 52 is adapted to receive articles of food or drink and is provided with a lid 56 having fastening means 58 thereon for securing lid 56 in place in covering relationship to container 52.

Members 40 and 42 are swingable about generally horizontal axes defined by the hinge pins of hinges 36 and 38 from a first position illustrated in FIG. 4, extending outwardly from the sides, to a second position within section 18 and illustrated in FIG. 5. In the outwardly extending positions, walls 46 of members 40 and 42, engage the outer surfaces of sides 22 and 24 respectively, and walls 43 face upwardly while walls 50 face substantially downwardly. In the stored position illustrated in FIG. 5, walls 48 engage the inner surfaces of sides 22 and 24, and walls 46 face upwardly, walls 50 again facing substantially downwardly toward bottom 20.

A number of hasps 6t interconnect walls 50 with the corresponding segments 32 and 34 of bottom 20 when members 40 and 42 are in the outwardly extending or buoyancy-producing relationship with respect to hull section 18. Hasps 60 are longitudinally spaced to assure that members 40 and 42 are maintained in fixed positions relative to sides 22 and 24. When members 40 and 42 are in the stored position illustrated in FIG. 5, hasps 60 are spaced from each other and do not interfere with the storing of members 40 and 42.

Unit 16 is provided with an elongated plank 62 secured to end 26 in any suitable manner adjacent the uppermost margin of the latter. Plank 62 is utilized for mounting an outboard motor on unit 16 to propel the latter through the water. It is clear that oars may be used in lieu of an outboard motor.

Means is provided in the nature of an number of vertically spaced hasps 64 for interconnecting unit 12 with unit 14 and for interconnecting unit 14 with unit 16. Hasps 64 are provided on walls 50 of the members 40 and 42 of the respective units 12, 14 and 16, and are also provided on segments 32 and 34 of the units 12, 14 and 16. Hasps 64 are located at uniform positions so that units 12, 14 and 16 may be interconnected in any configuration; for example, unit 12 may be connected directly to unit 16 without the inclusion of unit 14 therebetween.

An elongated board 66 may be disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of each hull section 18 to provide a seat for an individual or individuals transported by boat 10. A number of such boards 66 may be provided when a number of units, such as units 12, 14 and 16, are interconnected to form boat 10. Each board 66 is provided with a pair of spaced angle irons 68 secured thereto on the normally lowermost face thereof. Angle irons 63 are adapted to be fitted over corresponding ends of adjacent units, such as units 14 and 16, when the latter are interconnected by hasps 64. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each angle iron is provided with a generally horizontal strip 70 and a generally vertical strip 72 when the corresponding board 66 is mounted so as to seat an individual. When not in use, each board 66 may be stored within a hull section 18 on bottom 20 of the latter, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

A hook 74 may be provided on the inner surface of one of the ends 26 and 23 to provide a hitch for an anchor to be utilized with boat 10.

When it is desired to transport the boat 10 from a point of storage thereof to a point of use, members 40 and 42 are positioned within the corresponding hull section 18 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. Suitable handle structure may then be grasped, which handle structure may be attached to either of the sides 22 or 24. When the point of launch of boat 10 is reached, units 12, 14 and 16 may be interconnected, or each unit 16 may be utilized by itself. In either case, members 40 and 42 are swung into the positions illustrated in FIG. 4 and connected to segments 32 and 34 by hasps 60. Boat 10 is then ready for use on the water in transporting an individual or individuals over water by means of an outboard motor or cars.

When it is desired to remove the boat from the water and transport the same to the point of storage again, members 40 and 42 are swung inwardly relative to hull section 18 after members 40 and 42 have become unattached to segments 32 and 34 by proper manipulation of hasps 60. Boat 10 may then be carried to the point of storage and members 40 and 42 may remain in the stored locations until ready for use once again.

By virtue of the above-mentioned construction, a pair of units, such as units 12, 14 and 16, may be carried by a single individual to thereby facilitate the launching or storage of boat 10. Since the boat is lightweight in character, no need is required for a trailer to transport the boat from place to place, and the same may be carried by a truck or station wagon from a point of storage to a point of use thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible boat comprising a number of elongated, buoyant hull sections each having a bottom and a pair of opposed sides secured to and extending upwardly from the bottom; means on said hull sections for interconnecting the latter in end-to-end relationship; a pair of buoyant outrigger members for each of said hull sections and hingedly interconnected therewith on the sides thereof for movement from first positions extending outwardly from the sides and above said bottom in buoyancy-producing relationship with the hull section to second positions extending into the hull section in stored relationship thereto; and releasable fastening means carried by said outrigger members for securing the latter to the corresponding hull sections when said outrigger members are in said first positions.

2. A collapsible boat comprising a buoyant hull section having a bottom and a pair of opposed sides secured to and extending upwardly from the bottom; a pair of outrigger compartments, one for each side respectively, each outrigger compartment including a pair of interconnected walls joined adjacent an uppermost margin of the outrigger compartment, the latter being hingedly interconnected at the junction of said Walls to the corresponding side for movement from a first position extending outwardly from the corresponding side and above said bottom in buoyancy-producing relationship with said hull section to a second position extending into said hull section in stored relationship thereto, one of the walls of each outrigger compartment normally engaging the corresponding side at the outer surface thereof when the compartment is in said first position, the other of the walls of each outrigger compartment normally engaging the corresponding side on the inner surface thereof when the compartment is in said second position, whereby said sides provide backing supports for said outrigger compartments when the latter are in said first and second positions, said compartments being filled with a quantity of buoyant material; and releasable fastening means carried by said outridgger compartments for securing the latter to said hull section when said outrigger compartments are in said first positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,185,494 Friberg May 30, 1916 1,371,139 Banaszak Mar. 8, 1921 2,724,132 Shoup Nov. 22, 1955 2,819,476 Dodge Jan. 14, 1958 2,917,754 Gunderson Dec. 22, 1959 3,007,208 Urban Nov. 7, 1961 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE BOAT COMPRISING A NUMBER OF ELONGATED, BUOYANT HULL SECTIONS EACH HAVING A BOTTOM AND A PAIR OF OPPOSED SIDES SECURED TO AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE BOTTOM; MEANS ON SAID HULL SECTIONS FOR INTERCONNECTING THE LATTER IN END-TO-END RELATIONSHIP; A PAIR OF BUOYANT OUTRIGGER MEMBERS FOR EACH OF SAID HULL SECTIONS AND HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTED THEREWITH ON THE SIDES THEREOF FOR MOVEMENT FROM FIRST POSITIONS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE SIDES AND ABOVE SAID BOTTOM IN BUOYANCY-PRODUCING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HULL SECTION TO SECOND POSITIONS EXTENDING INTO THE HULL SECTION IN STORED RELATIONSHIP THERETO; AND RELEASABLE FASTENING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID OUTRIGGER MEMBERS FOR SECURING THE LATTER TO THE CORRESPONDING HULL SECTIONS WHEN SAID OUTRIGGER MEMBERS ARE IN SAID FIRST POSITIONS. 